Sheila Anne Harrison

Sheila Harrison was born on December 24, 1947, in Stockton, California, where she was raised. She along with her 3 brothers were born to Robert and Annette (Fuller) Gust. She attended Lincoln High School and during her senior year, moved to Salem, Oregon and graduated from South Salem High School in 1966.

As a freshman in her first term at Oregon State University, she met her future husband Kenneth Harrison, a sophomore. They were deeply in love and got married after graduation on September 12, 1969, before Ken was called into the Army. They spent the next four years at different military bases, including Fort Benning, Georgia and Fort Carson, Colorado, but it was in 1971 in Fort Knox, Kentucky that their son Kevin was born. They then moved to Sequim, Washington in 1973 to start a family construction business, and it was there that they had their daughter, Kelly in 1974.

Their final move landed them in Salem, Oregon in 1981. While she worked in the family business as an interior decorator, her favorite “job” was being a homemaker allowing her to be at every field trip, sporting event, school play, choir concert, etc. Sheila was very involved and sat on the board of many charitable organizations including Salem Hospital Auxiliary, Assistance League, Boys and Girls Club, Rotarian Women, Illahee Women’s Golf, and most recently working closely with St. Francis Family Housing.

Sheila was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church and was active in the Queen of Peace Ladies Bible Study since 2003, serving in a leadership position alongside Kelly. She was extremely spiritual and had a special relationship with Mother Mary. She went to be with our Lord on November 20, 2021.

Sheila loved her yard and took great pleasure and satisfaction in her flowers and gardening abilities. She also loved her many dogs and pets throughout the years as they brought her pure joy and affection. She had the need for speed and enjoyed her many Corvettes over the years. She loved to read and challenge her mind with Sudoku and Candy Crush. Sheila had a passion for travel and it brought her so much happiness to share those experiences with her family and friends. Some of her favorite locations included anywhere in Africa, Greece, Peru, and the Czech Republic. She loved her family fiercely and completely, finding her pride and joy in her four grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Ken, and their 2 children and spouses; Kevin and Sarah Harrison and Kelly and Daniel Herb all of Salem, along with her 4 grandchildren; Brett, Dylan, Brianna, and Colin. She is also survived by her 3 brothers, Terry Gust, Tim and Melissa Gust, and Brian and Olivia Gust, and her nieces and nephew; Erin, Allison, and Ethan.

Services will be held at Queen of Peace Catholic Church on Friday, December 3, 2021, located at 4227 Lone Oak Rd. SE in Salem. A rosary will be held at 10:30 am, with a funeral mass at 11 am, followed by a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations made in Sheila’s name to St. Francis Family Housing, 1820 Berry Street • Salem, Oregon 97302 (https://sfssalem.org)